They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.
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Revelation 14:3-5 sits inside this longer paragraph.
I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.
Parallel Translations
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They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth.
These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.
In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.
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And they songe as it were a newe songe before the seate and before the foure beestes and the elders and no man coulde learne that songe but the hondred and xliiii.M. which were redemed from the erth.
These are they which were not defyled with wemen for they are virgyns. These folowe the lambe whither soever he goeth. These were redemed from men beynge the fyrste frutes vnto God and to the lambe
and in their mouthes was foude no gyle. For they - are with oute spott before the trone of god.
Show all 3 translations
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And they sung as it were a newe song before the throne, and before the foure beasts, and the Elders: and no man could learne that song, but the hundreth, fourtie and foure thousand, which were bought from the earth.
These are they, which are not defiled with women: for they are virgins: these follow the Lambe whithersoeuer he goeth: these are bought from men, being the first fruites vnto God, and to the Lambe.
And in their mouthes was found no guile: for they are without spot before the throne of God.
Cross-references (59)
- Revelation 5:9 (vv3–4) They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your…
- 2 Corinthians 11:2 (v4) For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
- Revelation 3:4 (v4) Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that didn’t defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
- James 1:18 (v4) Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
- Ephesians 5:27 (v5) that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and…
Show all 58 cross-references
- Revelation 14:1 (v3) I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name…
- Revelation 15:3 (v3) They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the…
- Psalms 32:2 (v5) Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.
- Psalms 98:1 (v3) Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
- Psalms 149:1 (v3) Praise Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.
- Isaiah 42:10 (v3) Sing to Yahweh a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the islands and…
- John 10:27 (v4) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
- John 12:26 (v4) If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there my servant will also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
- Psalms 40:3 (v3) He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh.
- Zephaniah 3:13 (v5) The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and…
- 1 Corinthians 6:20 (v4) for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- Revelation 2:17 (v3) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I…
- Revelation 7:15-17 (v4) Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his…
- Psalms 33:3 (v3) Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy!
- Psalms 74:2 (v4) Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance: Mount Zion, in which…
- Psalms 96:1 (v3) Sing to Yahweh a new song! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth.
- Psalms 144:9 (v3) I will sing a new song to you, God. On a ten-stringed lyre, I will sing praises to you.
- John 1:47 (v5) Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
- 1 Peter 3:10 (v5) For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
- Jude 1:24 (v5) Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,
- Revelation 4:2-11 (v3) Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne that looked like a jasper stone…
- Revelation 17:14 (v4) These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and those who are with him…
- Psalms 34:13 (v5) Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.
- Jeremiah 2:3 (v4) Israel was holiness to Yahweh, the first fruits of his increase. All who devour him will be held guilty. Evil will come on them,” ’ says…
- John 8:12 (v4) Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have…
- Colossians 1:22 (v5) yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him,
- Proverbs 8:8 (v5) All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
- Song of Solomon 1:3 (v4) Your oils have a pleasing fragrance. Your name is oil poured out, therefore the virgins love you.
- Daniel 6:4 (v5) Then the presidents and the local governors sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion…
- Hosea 10:2 (v5) Their heart is divided. Now they will be found guilty. He will demolish their altars. He will destroy their sacred stones.
- Matthew 8:19 (v4) A scribe came, and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
- Matthew 12:34 (v5) You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
- Matthew 25:1 (v4) “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.
- Luke 9:57-62 (v4) As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, “I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord.” Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes,…
- Luke 23:4 (v5) Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
- John 13:37 (v4) Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
- Acts 20:28 (v4) Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the…
- 1 Corinthians 7:25-26 (v4) Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be…
- 1 Corinthians 16:15 (v4) Now I beg you, brothers—you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve…
- Ephesians 1:14 (v4) who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.
- 1 Peter 2:9 (v4) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of…
- Psalms 25:14 (v3) The friendship of Yahweh is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant.
- Psalms 45:14 (v4) She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.
- Song of Solomon 6:8 (v4) There are sixty queens, eighty concubines, and virgins without number.
- Isaiah 53:9 (v5) They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
- Amos 6:1 (v4) Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who are secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the chief of the nations,…
- Matthew 11:25-27 (v3) At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding,…
- 1 Corinthians 7:28 (v4) But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to…
- 1 Timothy 4:3 (v4) forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know…
- Psalms 55:11 (v5) Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.
- Song of Solomon 4:7 (v5) You are all beautiful, my love. There is no spot in you.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 (v3) For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14 (v3) Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are…
58 distinct cross-references across this passage (59 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3 And they sung as it were a new…
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Ver. 3. A new song] {See Trapp on "Rev 5:9"}
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But the hundred, &c.] To whom alone it was given to understand the mysteries of God’s kingdom. Others could not skill of it.
From the earth] i.e. From the Antichristian rout and rabble. These dunghill cocks meddle not with that jewel, the joy of faith, but speak evil of what they know not.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv3–5 And they sung as it were a new song…
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne: by the throne here is meant the throne of God in glory. The new song here spoken of, is probably the same with that we met with before, Rev 5:11,12, sang by the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: called new, either for the excellency of it; or, because sung unto God after Christ was manifested in the flesh; the design of it was to declare the worthiness of Christ to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing: see Rev 5:12. Mr. Mede saith thus of it; "If God shall at any time make me fully to understand it, I will happily more largely explain it, for it is deeply settled in my mind, that the whole mystery of evangelical worship is in it contained." And quite through the Scripture generally, a new song signifies a song which praiseth God for some new benefits received from him.
And before the four beasts, and the elders; the throne, beasts, and elders, described before, Rev 4:1-11,
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And no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth: during the reign of antichrist none could learn this new song, viz. to give glory to Jesus Christ alone, ascribing to him power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing; but a small number redeemed through the blood of Christ, from that vain conversation received by tradition from their fathers, 1Pe 1:18. All the other part of the world gave Christ’s honour and glory to the virgin Mary, angels, and saints, &c.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv4–5 St. John proceeds here in describing the true worshippers…
St. John proceeds here in describing the true worshippers of God, which would not comply with antichristian idolatry:
1. He styles them virgins, thereby intimating that they are the chaste spouse of Christ, and the true church, who worship God alone with religious worship; and they have not defiled themselves with women, that is, spiritually committed whoredom, they have not been inveigled with the whore to commit spiritual fornication.
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Where note, That idolatry is a filthy sin, it is as odious to God as whoredom and uncleanness, and an idolatrous church is a filthy shore, unworthy to claim the title of a mother, unless it be the mother of fornications.
2. They are said to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes; this is spoken in opposition to those who followed the beast, and denotes their imitation of Christ’s example, and their firm adherence to the purity of his doctrine and worship, although it expose them to hazard and danger.
3. They are called the first-fruits unto God, and the Lamb, which denotes their paucity, like a few sheaves in comparison of the whole harvest; their sanctity, the first-fruits were holy to the Lord, and were his peculiar portion; also their safety and security, as the first-fruits were God’s portion, so it was both sacrilegious and unsafe to rob God of his portion. By calling them the first-fruits which were holy to the Lord, we see the special interest and propriety that God has in his faithful servants and true worshippers beyond all others; they are his peculiar portion, his inheritance, his treasure, which he will ever take care of, and be concerned for.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv3–5 And they sung as it were a new song,....…
And they sung as it were a new song,.... The song of redeeming grace; the same with that in Rev 5:9; see the note there: this is to be understood of the 144,000, who sung it
before the throne, and before the four beasts and the elders; that is, publicly in the church, the ministers and members being present; of these; See Gill on Rev 4:4; See Gill on Rev 4:6;
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and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth; out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation; from among the men of the earth, and out of the apostate church, called the earth, in opposition to the pure church, which so often goes by the name of heaven in this book; and these, in consequence of being redeemed by the blood of Christ, were called by grace out of the world; and such only can sing the song of redemption with application to themselves; and say he has redeemed us, and loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood; to none but these is it given to know spiritually and experimentally the mysteries of electing and redeeming grace; the natural and carnal man neither knows nor receives the things of the Spirit of God; nor can he learn them by hearing, reading, study, and conversation, unless it be only in a notional and speculative way. The Jews speak of a new song, which the angels have never used (m);
"it is said, Psa 98:1; "sing unto the Lord a new song"; a new song, for there is an old song; but this song is what the angels never praised him with, and therefore it is new;''
and indeed the song of redeeming love is peculiar to men.
(m) Zohar in Numb. fol. 70. 4.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv3–5 And they - The hundred forty-four thousand-Sing a new…
And they - The hundred forty-four thousand-Sing a new song - and none could learn that song - To sing and play it in the same manner. But the hundred forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth - From among men; from all sin.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv3–5 Verse 3. They sung-a new song] See Clarke on…
Verse 3. They sung-a new song] See Clarke on Re 5:9.
No man could learn that song] As none but genuine Christians can worship God acceptably, because they approach him through the only Mediator, so none can understand the deep things of God but such; nor can others know the cause why true believers exult so much in God through Christ, because they know not the communion which such hold with the Father and the Son through the Holy Ghost.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv3–5 And they sung as it were a new song…
And they sung as it were a new song - See the notes on Rev 5:9. It was proper to call this “new,” because it was on a new occasion, or pertained to a new object. The song here was in celebration of the complete redemption of the church, and was the song to be sung in view of its final triumph over all its foes. Compare notes on Rev 7:9-10.
Before the throne - The throne of God in heaven. See the notes on Rev 4:2.
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And before the four beasts - See the notes on Rev 4:6-8.
And the elders - See the notes on Rev 4:4.
And no man could learn that song, ... - None could understand it but the redeemed. That is, none who had not been redeemed could enter fully into the feelings and sympathies of those who were. A great truth is taught here. To appreciate fully the songs of Zion; to understand the language of praise; to enter into the spirit of the truths which pertain to redemption; one must himself have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. He must have known what it is to be a sinner under the condemnation of a holy law; he must have known what it is to be in danger of eternal death; he must have experienced the joys of pardon, or he can never understand, in its true import, the language used by the redeemed. And this is only saying what we are familiar with in other things. He who is saved from peril; he who is rescued from long captivity; he who is pardoned at the foot of the scaffold; he who is recovered from dangerous illness; he who presses to his bosom a beloved child just rescued from a watery grave, will have an appreciation of the language of joy and triumph which he can never understand who has not been placed in such circumstances: but of all the joy ever experienced in the universe, so far as we can see, that must be the most sublime and transporting, which will be experienced when the redeemed shall stand on Mount Zion above, and shall realize that they are saved.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv3–4 They sung as it were a new canticle. In…
They sung as it were a new canticle. In these visions, after persecutions, are sometimes introduced rejoicings to encourage the servants of God in their sufferings from the wicked world. --- No man could say (or sing) the canticle, but those hundred forty-four thousand: by which are signified the elect, who were not defiled with women. Some expound this literally of those who always lived virgins; others understand all those who lived or died with a pure and clean heart, exempt from the corruption of vices, and of whom it is said, (ver. 5) that in their mouth was found no lie, and that they were without spot for the throne of God. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv3–5 sung--Greek, "sing."
sung--Greek, "sing."
as it were--So A, C, and Vulgate read. It is "as it were" a new song; for it is, in truth, as old as God's eternal purpose. But B, Syriac, Coptic, ORIGEN, and ANDREAS omit these words.
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new song-- (Rev 5:9-10). The song is that of victory after conflict with the dragon, beast, and false prophet: never sung before, for such a conflict had never been fought before; therefore new: till now the kingdom of Christ on earth had been usurped; they sing the new song in anticipation of His blood-bought kingdom with His saints.
four beasts--rather, as Greek, "four living creatures." The harpers and singers evidently include the 144,000: so the parallel proves (Rev 15:2-3), where the same act is attributed to the general company of the saints, the harvest (Rev 14:15) from all nations. Not as ALFORD, "the harpers and song are in heaven, but the 144,000 are on earth."
redeemed--literally, "purchased." Not even the angels can learn that song, for they know not experimentally what it is to have "come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev 7:14).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. A new song—Different, quite, from the wail under…
3. A new song—Different, quite, from the wail under the altar of Rev_6:10.
Before the throne—The invisible harpers become visible; from the ether they have descended on Moriah; they are before the Theophanic throne and its permanent court.
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No man could learn that song—None but the redeemed can truly learn and truly sing the song of the redeemed. Others may imitate it by rote, but the full depth of its music is not in their souls, and the imitation is spurious and counterfeit. Hence it is clear that the harpers were not angels, but redeemed saints. They were an abridged specimen of the multitude that no man could number of Rev_7:9, and, like them, Gentile counterpart to the Israelite hundred forty and four thousand. The Israelite number, as being at home in the mystic Jerusalem, are on Zion; the Gentiles, as coming from all the nations, gather on Moriah, before the throne. It is a festal gathering. The new song indicates that an era auspicious of future triumph over the strongholds of Satan has opened.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. sung] More accurately, sing.
3. sung] More accurately, sing.
as it were] Should perhaps be omitted, as in Rev_5:9.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–4 (3) And they . . .—Translate, And they (i.e.,…
(3) And they . . .—Translate, And they (i.e., the heavenly harpers) sing a new song (the words “as it were” ought, perhaps, to be omitted) before the throne, and before the living creatures, and the elders (i.e., in the presence of God Himself, and creation, and the Church), and no one was able to learn the song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were purchased from the earth. It is a heavenly song, and no spirit dulled by earthly desires can learn it. The Spirit of the Lord can open the dull ear to hear and to rejoice in the songs of God’s saints. Amid the world-noises of Babylon men can neither hear nor sing aright the Lord’s song (Psa_137:4); but the redeemed (the purchased from the earth) of the Lord can come with singing unto Zion (Isa_51:11).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3–5 And they sung as it were a new song…
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders. They sing; that is to say, the heavenly inhabitants. The four living beings; viz. those of Rev_4:9, where see an explanation of the positions occupied, and of the nature and signification of the "living beings and the elders." The "new song," which can only be understood by the hundred and forty-four thousand, is (as explained by ver. 4) a song of victory won by those who have been tried in the world and subjected to temptations. And no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth; even they that had been purchased out of the earth (Revised Version). These only can know the song for the reason given above. The joys of heaven and the song of victory are not for those who have succumbed to the world.
Man training for the supersensuous heaven.
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"No man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." The subject of these words is man training for the supersensuous heaven. Notice
I HEAVEN REQUIRES HIS TRAINING. "No man could learn that song." Man cannot blend in the happy harmony of the celestial state without previous training. Analogy would suggest this. In the physical system every being is fitted to his position, his organism is suited to his locality. These bodies of ours, as now constituted, could probably live in no other planet than this. In the social system the same principle of fitness is required. The stolid clown could not occupy the professor"s chair, nor could he who is reckless concerning law, right, and order occupy the bench of justice. It is just so in relation to heaven. To feel at home in the society of the holy, cheerfully to serve the Creator and his universe, and to be in harmony with all the laws, operations, and beings in the holy empire, we must manifestly be invested with the same character. But what is the training necessary?
1. Not mechanical. Ceremonial religion enjoins this.
2. Not intellectual. Theological training may be conducive, but it is not sufficient.
3. It is moral the training of the spiritual sympathies, the heart being brought to say, "Thy will be done." No one can "sing the song," blend in the harmonious action of heaven, without this. A man with corrupt sympathies could never sing in heaven; he would shriek. In the midst of happy myriads he would be alone. His darkness would conceal from him the outward sun; his inner flashes of guilt would change for him the God of love into a "consuming fire.
II REDEMPTION IS THE CONDITION OF HIS TRAINING. "Those who were redeemed from the earth." The redemption here referred to is evidently that procured by the love of Christ. The training requires something more than education; it needs emancipation, the deliverance of the soul from certain feelings and forces incompatible with holiness a deliverance from the guilt and power of evil. The grand characteristic of Christianity is that it is a power to redeem from all evil. No other system on earth can do this.
III THE EARTH IS THE SCENE OF HIS TRAINING. "Redeemed from the earth." The brightest fact in the history of the dark world is that it is a redemptive scene. Amidst all the clouds and storms of depravity and sorrow that sweep over our path, this fact rises up before us a bright orb that shall one day dispel all gloom and hush all tumult. Thank God, this is not a retributive, but a redemptive scene. But it should be remembered that it is not only a redemptive scene, but the only redemptive scene. There is no redemptive influence in heaven it is not required. A wonderful world is this! True, it is but a spark amidst the suns of the universe a tiny leaf in the mighty forests! Let the light be quenched and the leaf be destroyed, their absence would not be felt. Still it has a moral history the most momentous. Here Christ lived, laboured, died. Here millions of spirits are trained for heaven. What Marathon was to Greece, and Waterloo to Europe, this little earth is to the creation. Here the great battles of the spiritual universe are fought. It is the Thermopylae of the creation. D.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. And they sung as it were a new…
3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne. A song that has some new features. It was sung in the presence of the Father and the attending princes of heaven. No man could learn that song but the hundred and forty four thousand. None could understand the song but them, those who had been redeemed.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v4 (See Scofield "Rom 3:24").
redeemed
(See Scofield "Rom 3:24").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v3 They sang a new song
They sang a new song
"The 144,000 people sang a new song." This explains what the sound was that John heard. AT: "That sound was a new song that they sang"
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the four living creatures
"living being" or "living thing." See how you translated "living creature" in Revelation 4:6
elders
This refers to the twenty-four elders around the throne. See how you translated "elders" in Revelation 4:4.
144,000
"one hundred forty-four thousand." See how you translated this in Revelation 7:4. (See: Numbers)
have not defiled themselves with women
Possible meanings are 1) "have never had immoral sexual relations with a woman" or 2) "have never had sexual relations with a woman." Defiling oneself with women may be a symbol of worshiping idols.
they have kept themselves sexually pure
Possible meanings are 1) "they did not have sexual relations with a woman who was not their wife" or 2) "they are virgins."
follow the Lamb wherever he goes
Doing what the Lamb does is spoken of as following him. AT: "they do whatever the Lamb does" or "they obey the Lamb" (See: Metaphor)
bought out of mankind as firstfruits
"Firstfruits" here is a metaphor for the first offering to be made to God in celebration of harvest. AT: "purchased out of the midst of the rest of mankind as a special celebration of salvation" (See: Metaphor)
No lie was found in their mouth
Their "mouth" refers to what they said." AT: "They never lied when they spoke" (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
throne
life
creature
elder
defile
pure
lamb
firstfruits
God
blameless
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 14:4-5 These warriors were ritually pure (unpolluted) and morally…
14:4-5 These warriors were ritually pure (unpolluted) and morally without blame. • They have kept themselves as pure as virgins: Referring to men as virgins is a metaphor for the faithfulness of God’s people. The image might refer to the church as the virgin bride of Christ (see 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25-27); it also suggests that the church constitutes soldiers in a holy war that are required to keep themselves chaste (see Deut 23:9-10; 1 Sam 21:5). • These faithful people are a special offering (literally firstfruits; see Exod 13:14-16; 23:19; Lev 23:9-14; Num 3:40-51; 18:15-20; Luke 2:22-24) who have been purchased for God. • They have told no lies: John teaches that liars will never enter heaven (Rev 21:8, 27; 22:15; see also John 8:44). The followers of Jesus speak and live the truth (see also John 8:32; 14:6).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.